During #NationalRecoveryMonth, Gaudenzia Erie recently held its 23rd Annual Race for Recovery on Saturday, Sept. 18 at Presque Isle State Park’s Rotary Pavilion in Erie, Pa. Despite a challenging year, the Race for Recovery had 126 participants, and many donors, sponsors and volunteers came out to pledge their support for the participants.
“Gaudenzia Erie’s annual Race for Recovery is our signature fundraising event and helps us continue our mission of treating men and women in addiction recovery at any level of care, regardless of their ability to pay,” said Jason Kisielewski, Gaudenzia Erie’s Community Affairs Manager. The event, which consists of a competitive 10K run, a 5K walk/run and a 1K fun run/walk, is designed to help “E-Race” the stigma of addiction.
Proceeds for the Race for Recovery benefit Gaudenzia Erie’s Patient Fund and are used for clothing, bus fare for job searches and school, recovery books and literature, and any other client needs. Gaudenzia Erie is committed to providing our clients with the tools that allow them a promising future and the ability to become productive members of the community, as well as mentors to other people with the same needs.
Comprised of 10 treatment facilities in Erie County, Gaudenzia Erie provides a complete continuum of care, which includes detox, residential, dual diagnosis, outpatient, women and children’s care, and halfway house services. In addition, Gaudenzia Erie helps individuals and families affected by drug and alcohol dependency, mental illness and related conditions achieve a better quality of life and become accountable individuals.
On a daily basis, the staff at Gaudenzia Erie puts themselves on the front lines of the heroin and opioid epidemic that continues to ravage not only the Erie community, but also the state of Pennsylvania and the entire nation. Because of Gaudenzia Erie, many individuals, who are sons, daughters, brothers, sisters and even parents themselves, now have a second chance at life.
